CBB 2018 will have all female housemates when it returns to Channel 5 next month - for the first time in the show's history.

Bosses confirmed the show, which will begin in the first week of January, will be all ladies - "in a salute to a centenary of women's suffrage."

Producers said: "In January 2018, as the nation marks 100 years since women won the right to vote for the very first time, Celebrity Big Brother launches this series with an all-female cast of celebrity housemates in a salute to a centenary of women’s suffrage on Channel 5.

"Presented by Emma Willis, Celebrity Big Brother will initially explore how the all-female housemates interact, from politicians to performing artists, as they enter the house first, ahead of the celebrity male housemates.

But while the first batch of housemates will be female, bosses will allow some men into the house later on in the series.

"Over the course of the series, as the male counterparts enter the house, the housemates will take part in a series of entertaining tasks and hidden experiments which will test their - and our - assumptions, challenge gender stereotypes and reveal fascinating truths about what it is to be a woman - and man - in the 21st century," the CBB announcement went on.

"See what happens when women hold the power, as Celebrity Big Brother January 2018 is set to be celebratory, surprising and insightful."

George Galloway did CBB in 2006, becoming the first politician to join the line-up. He was joined by Jimmy Saville

Tommy Sheridan (pic:getty)

While Channel 5 usually keep its cards close to its chest in terms of the housemates' identity, it seems the broadcaster has already given a hint within its announcement.

"From politicians to performing artists" could be a nod as to which famous faces have signed up to the line-up.